Municipalities

Consumptive use of water for municipal purposes is less than 10 percent of total water consumption in the United States, although it is often perceived as the most vital or important water use. From region to region the share of consumptive water use by municipalities varies widely, from less than 1 percent in rural states having irrigated agriculture (such as Idaho or Nebraska) to more than 50 percent in such urbanized states as New Jersey (53 percent) or New York (64 percent). In absolute numbers, the quantity of water consumed is greatest in the most populous states and in states where the climate is quite arid or hot. In 1980 the most municipal water was consumed in California (1,700 million gallons per day). New York (380 mgd), Arizona (340 mgd), and Florida (330 mgd). Consumptive water use is generally about 25 percent of withdrawals for municipal use. ¹